Doing a PhD after your first degree will take you several years, however, the extra education and qualification could make a huge difference to your career. Find out how and why here ...

1. Words Worth Reading Ltd
Academic Proofreading Services
http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/students-articles.shtml

2. A PhD is the highest title you can obtain in academia which
qualifies you to become a university professor in your subject
area. Completing a PhD degree has several advantages. However,
at the same time there are also some drawbacks.

3. The most prominent benefit of a doctorate degree is that you
are recognized as an expert in your field. You possess superior
theoretical and applied knowledge on your subject. Beyond
acquiring an expert knowledge you also develop a set of
transferrable skills, such as problem-solving, critical reasoning,
and in-depth analysis from diverse angles and perspectives.
Throughout a three year period, you are continuously
challenged by numerous problems which required critical
analytical thinking. These skills help you to identify and
troubleshoot the problems both in your job and at home or in
any business undertakings.

4. Another vital transferable skill is that you have learnt to research,
create new information and communicate your results through
publications in peer reviewed journals. Not everyone can create
information and undertake academic writing. These writing and
communicating skills are highly valuable in terms of career
development.

5. On a personal level, you may find that you feel more confident
and have greater self-belief. You are mentally mature through
receiving challenge and criticism from your peers and supervisors.
You will also learn that any failure is a step closer to success, and
hence find that you are less worried about failure or the
uncertainty that surrounds your actions. Further transferable
skills, such as perseverance, persistence, time management and
organizational skills can be utilised not only in the workplace but
also in your everyday life.

6. Despite a number of benefits, a PhD won’t necessarily help you get
a job. Many students after completing a PhD hope to find a tenure-
track position at a university. Jobs in academia are highly
competitive. You may have to settle for a temporary or non
tenure-track teaching position. Therefore, you should bear in mind
that a PhD does not guarantee a job in academia.

7. Another disadvantage is that prospective employers may view you
as overqualified and under experienced, especially if you try to
look for non-research jobs. The PhD prepares you for a career in
research only. The skills you develop are less useful outside
research environments.

8. Unlike research where most jobs are fixed term contracts, the jobs
in industries are generally permanent. The hiring companies would
be looking for candidates who can be led and trained. They thus
generally expect you to stay in the job for a longer duration. There
is a general concept among industries that PhD graduates are
independent and difficult to lead. Therefore, they fear that you are
more likely to leave your job sooner. They do not want to invest
time and money on someone who is not going to stay in the job for
a long time.

9. Overall, the benefits of completing a PhD far outweigh its
drawbacks . You are better placed to undertake a quicker
career progression than individuals who do not possess a
PhD. However, like everyone else, you will have to fight for
opportunities as they arise.
For affordable but thorough proofreading for your
thesis -
http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/academic-proofreading.php